A hiking we will go...

Okay, I don't know that it was really a hike, more like a Sunday afternoon stroll. We went up to the Ogden overlook up near Snowbasin ski resort. While not as vibrant as during the motorcycle ride last week, the colors were still pretty cool. We kind of felt like we should have brought the whole family along for pictures since that's what everyone else was doing. Too late, just the four of us...

Ogden and the Great Salt Lake in the background.

Our family picture. It took forever to get a picture where Lindsey wasn't screaming or trying to run away. :)

A proud moment for me. Our little watermelon which I had nurtured so carefully finally ripened. I'm sure there's a better way to know, but I ended up having to pick it when one end just popped open. There's one more we are hoping will ripen before it gets too cold.

Today's Ride

It was decided that we needed one last hurrah before the riding season was over this year. We have put a lot more miles on our bicycles this year than we have the motorcycle so maybe this was the first and last hurrah. Either way, it was a nice day ride. The colors have started to change and we couldn't have asked for better weather. We are pleased to report that at no time during this ride did Chad or his motorcycle break down. I wasn't quite so lucky, but that's another story...

These were taken on the fly, as you can tell I'm sure, but hopefully you get an idea of some of the changing colors.

We met up with Mom and Dad near the start of the Mirror Lake highway(coming from Wyoming.) I think everyone had a great time, despite some hind end aches.

Lindsey's view of the road.

Vikingman 2010

We all knew it would come to this. You train for it, you pay for it, and then eventually...you actually have to do it. But hey, we all had a great time and now we can look back and laugh as our aches and pains fade into the background. It really was a lot of fun to have so much family all together in the event. It's nice that the Vikingman had something for everyone. Despite some of our cursings and mutterings on the course I think everyone agreed they were ready to do it again next year. Any more takers? :)

The story in pictures:

Lindsey proclaiming her innocence while switching from the bike to the run.




Jace wondering just how far Chad is behind him and how much he may need to hurry through this transistion.

No, they're not just posing...they're bringing it home!

The face says it all:
1.2 miles in the water, 56 miles on a crappy road, 7 miles running around an airport hopping over cow pies...some people get to end here and I have to go how much farther!?

Done! Can I sit down now?

The crew:
From left to right: Kaley, Sarah, Lindsey, Ashley, Brent, Mark, Jace, Chad, Joseph.

You know we had to take one of these.

Nothing like a chunk of granite to remind us we're awesome. :) I got first place in my age group and Lindsey took first place overall for the women.

Yellowstone

After enjoying some Waddoups family time and gorging ourselves on food after Hayden's baptism and Finn's blessing, we took the opportunity to head up to Island Park to hang out with the Lovell's. We had considered floating the river, but considering the 1/4 inch of ice on the cars Monday morning and the snow capped peaks, it was probably best we nixed the idea. We did make a day trip into Yellowstone on Sunday though. The weather wasn't the best, but when Lindsey and I travel anything short of a blizzard is considered good weather!


First item of business: Take Grandma 4 wheeling in the wheelchair. If you have enough people a wheelchair can go anywhere!


We got to enjoy a few spots that we hadn't seen in the park previously.

From the top of upper (lower?) falls.

Lindsey was trying to intimidate the other tourists at Yellowstone Lake.

When Old Faithful erupts to a height of 70 or 80 feet, why do you need to stand so close? We decided hiding from the freezing wind was more important. Lindsey is actually on the phone with Michael (Blakey, not the Michael standing behind her) in one of her duties as our family sports therapist. :)

Watching Old Faithful erupt: Pretty cool.
Watching a crowd of tourists scream and run as a freezing wind showers them hot water: Priceless.